INTRODUCTION: A successful vaccination programme forms the cornerstone of controlling coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The unprecedented speed of COVID-19 vaccine development and lack of long-term data have raised fears regarding its safety and efficacy. Vaccine hesitancy can undermine the uptake, and hence success of the vaccination programme. Given the high complication rates of COVID-19 infections in kidney transplant recipients, it is particularly important to identify and address vaccine hesitancy in this population. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among kidney transplant recipients attending transplant clinic between 5 April and 5 May 2021. The survey assessed attitudes towards COVID-19, willingness/hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination, vaccination concerns and prompts to vaccination. This was scored on a Likert scale with scores ranging from 'strongly disagree' - 1 point to 'strongly agree' - 5 points. RESULTS: One hundred and one completed responses were captured. Of these, 86% respondents reported to agree or strongly agree to vaccination. This was despite significant concerns of allograft rejection (mean score 4.12, standard deviation [SD] 0.97) and decreased immunosuppressant efficacy (mean score 4.14, SD 0.96) with vaccination. Multivariable model showed a positive association with transplant vintage of ≥ 5 years (median 2.41), lower educational levels of secondary school or less (median 5.82) and healthcare provider advocacy (median 1.88) in predicting vaccine acceptance. CONCLUSIONS Vaccine acceptance rate was high among kidney transplant recipients. Vaccine hesitancy remains a concern in those with a transplant vintage of less than 5 years and those with tertiary educational level. Healthcare provider advocacy is important in improving vaccine acceptance rates.
Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Male ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Transplant Recipients/psychology* ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data* ; Vaccination Hesitancy/psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vaccination/psychology* ; Aged ; SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND: Effective interventions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic require an understanding of patients' knowledge and perceptions that influence their behaviour. Our study assessed knowledge of COVID-19 among kidney transplant recipients and donors, hitherto unevaluated. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 325 kidney transplant recipients and 172 donors between 1 May 2020 and 30 June 2020. The survey questionnaire assessed knowledge levels of COVID-19, sociodemographic data, health status, psychosocial impact of COVID-19 and precautionary behaviours during the pandemic. RESULTS: The mean COVID-19 knowledge score of the study population was 7.5 (standard deviation: 2.2) out of 10. The mean score was significantly higher among kidney recipients compared to kidney donors (7.9 [1.9] vs. 6.7 [2.6]; P <0.001). Younger age (21-49 vs. ≥50 years) and higher education (diploma and higher vs. secondary and lower) were associated with significantly higher knowledge scores in donors, but not among recipients ( P -interactions ≤0.01). In both kidney recipients and donors, financial concerns and/or social isolation were associated with lower knowledge levels. CONCLUSIONS Concerted efforts are needed to improve COVID-19 knowledge in kidney transplant recipients and donors, particularly older donors, donors with lower education and patients with financial concerns or feelings of social isolation. Intensive patient education may mitigate the impact of education levels on COVID-19 knowledge levels.
Humans ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Kidney Transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Transplant Recipients/psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tissue Donors/psychology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Young Adult ; Aged ; Pandemics

BACKGROUND: For lung transplant recipients (LTRs), rehabilitation management after lung transplantation is a crucial link affecting the recovery of pulmonary function. This study systematically summarizes and generalizes the relevant evidences on postoperative pulmonary function rehabilitation management in LTRs, thereby providing a basis for formulating clinical strategies for postoperative pulmonary function rehabilitation management in this patient population. METHODS: Based on the "6S" evidence model, a systematic search was conducted in domestic and international databases and websites, including UpToDate, BMJ Best Practice, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Guidelines International Network (GIN), and China Yimai Tong Guidelines Network, from the establishment of each database to July 2025. Relevant evidences on postoperative pulmonary function rehabilitation management for LTRs were extracted, and two researchers independently conducted quality assessment, evidence extraction, and integration of the included literature. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were included, consisting of 3 expert consensuses, 4 systematic reviews/evidence summaries, 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 5 quasi-experimental studies, and 2 cohort studies. A total of 30 pieces of best evidence were summarized, covering 8 themes: rehabilitation assessment, early intervention, exercise training, nutritional management, medication management, respiratory function training, psychological support, and long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Based on evidence-based principles, this study summarizes the best evidence for postoperative pulmonary function rehabilitation training in LTRs and proposes 30 clinically applicable recommendations, which provides a theoretical basis for the clinical implementation of pulmonary function rehabilitation management. Clinical medical and nursing staff should combine specific clinical scenarios and professional judgments to translate the evidence into practice, and provide scientific rehabilitation management and guidance for LTRs.
Humans ; Lung Transplantation/rehabilitation* ; Lung/surgery* ; Transplant Recipients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between postoperative driving pressure (DP) and the prognosis of lung transplantation, and to further evaluate the value of early DP monitoring in lung transplantation. METHODS: A observational study was conducted. The patients after lung transplantation who admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Wuxi People's Hospital from February 1, 2022 to February 1, 2023 were collected. They were divided into low DP group (DP≤15 cmH₂O, 1 cmH₂O ≈ 0.098 kPa) and high DP group (DP > 15 cmH₂O) according to DP within 2 hours after operation. The clinical data including general information, primary disease, chronic diseases, cardiopulmonary function, laboratory indicators, intraoperative condition, postoperative lactic acid (Lac) and ventilator parameters were collected. Primary outcomes included 28-day and 90-day survival, and secondary outcomes included occurrence of primary graft dysfunction (PGD), duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), duration of mechanical ventilation, weaning of mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU stay. The general data and observations between the two groups were compared. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis was conducted to analyze the situation of mechanical ventilation and 90-day survival. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to evaluate the predictive ability of DP for failed weaning of mechanical ventilation and 90-day death. The dose-response relationship between DP and 90-day death risk was determined by restricted cubic spline model. Univariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were enrolled, with 68 patients (67.3%) in the low DP group and 33 patients (32.7%) in the high DP group. No statistically significant difference in general information, chronic diseases, primary diseases, cardiopulmonary function, laboratory indicators, intraoperative conditions, and postoperative Lac between the two groups was found. Compared with the low DP group, the patients in the high DP group had higher inspiratory pressure (Pinsp) and incidence of PGD with grade 3 at 24 hours after operation [Pinsp (cmH₂O): 21.0±0.6 vs. 20.0±0.7, PGD with grade 3 at 24 hours: 60.6% (20/33) vs. 39.7% (27/68), both P < 0.05], longer duration of ECMO, duration of mechanical ventilation, and the length of ICU stay [duration of ECMO (hours): 37 (21, 109) vs. 22 (14, 43), duration of mechanical ventilation (days): 3.1 (1.8, 10.7) vs. 1.9 (1.1, 3.2), length of ICU stay (days): 6 (3, 13) vs. 4 (3, 5), all P < 0.05], and lower successful weaning rate of mechanical ventilation [81.8% (27/33) vs. 95.6% (65/68), P < 0.05). The 28-day and 90-day survival rates in the high DP group were significantly higher than those in the low DP group [28-day: 69.7% (23/33) vs. 86.8% (59/68), 90-day: 63.6% (21/33) vs. 83.8% (57/68), both P < 0.05]. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the patients in the low DP group were weaned and extubated earlier than high DP group, and the cumulative situation of weaning was better (Log-Rank test: χ ² = 14.054, P < 0.001), and the 90-day cumulative survival rate in the low DP group was significantly higher than that in the high DP group (Log-Rank test: χ ² = 4.791, P = 0.029). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of DP for predicting 90-day death was 0.664 [95% confidence internal (95%CI) was 0.540-0.787, P = 0.017], and the AUC for predicting failed weaning of mechanical ventilation was 0.794 (95%CI was 0.667-0.921, P = 0.004). Results of restricted cubic spline model analysis showed that the 90-day death risk continued to increase with the DP < 18 cmH₂O; when DP≥18 cmH₂O, elevated DP did not continue to increase the 90-day death risk, showing a plateau effect. Univariate analysis showed that DP was independent risk factors of 90-day death, and the death risk increased by 9.3% for every 1 cmH₂O increase in DP [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.093, 95%CI was 1.007-1.186, P = 0.033]. CONCLUSIONS DP is an independent risk factor of death after lung transplantation, and early postoperative DP may be used as a predictor of failed weaning of mechanical ventilation and 90-day death after lung transplantation.
Humans ; Lung Transplantation ; Prognosis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Intensive Care Units ; Postoperative Period ; Pressure ; Primary Graft Dysfunction/epidemiology* ; Transplant Recipients ; Female ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Male ; ROC Curve ; Middle Aged

With the rapid aging of the global population posing a serious problem, frailty, a non-specific state that reflects physiological senescence rather than aging in time, has become more widely addressed by researchers in various medical fields. A high prevalence of frailty is found among kidney transplant (KT) candidates and recipients. Therefore, their frailty has become a research hotspot in the field of transplantation. However, current studies mainly focus on the cross-sectional survey of the incidence of frailty among KT candidates and recipients and the relationship between frailty and transplantation. Research on the pathogenesis and intervention is scattered, and relevant review literature is scarce. Exploring the pathogenesis of frailty in KT candidates and recipients and determining effective intervention measures may reduce waiting list mortality and improve the long-term quality of life of KT recipients. Therefore, this review explains the pathogenesis and intervention measures for frailty in KT candidates and recipients to provide a reference for the formulation of effective intervention strategies.
Humans ; Frailty/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Quality of Life ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Transplant Recipients

COVID-19 ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Transplant Recipients

With the breakthrough in surgical technology, pediatric liver transplantation (PLT) has achieved landmark development in China in recent years. In some high-volume centers, postoperative outcomes have even been comparable to the world-leading levels. However, postoperative infection remains a major factor affecting graft and recipient survivals. Thus, the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association organized experts from multiple disciplines and formulated the consensus to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of postoperative infections in PLT recipients. This consensus is based on the progress of domestic and international researches in this field and followed the principles of evidence-based medicine. It covers general and transplantation-specific infection, and is expected to provide reference for centers conducting or planning to conduct PLT.
Child ; Consensus ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Transplant Recipients

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience of perioperative prevention during double-lung transplantation for elderly patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Clinical data of 2 elderly patients with COVID-19 who underwent double-lung transplantation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative protective measures were introduced in terms of medical staffing, respiratory tract, pressure injuries, air in operating room, instruments and equipment, pathological specimens, and information management. RESULTS: Two cases of double-lung transplantation were successfully completed, and the patients had no operation-related complications. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator was successfully removed 2 to 4 days after surgery and the patients recovered well. There was no infection among medical staff. CONCLUSIONS Adequate preoperative preparation, complete patient transfer procedures, proper placement of instruments and equipment, strengthening of intraoperative care management, and attention to prevention of pressure injury complications can maximize the safety of COVID-19 patients and medical staff.
Aged ; Betacoronavirus ; COVID-19 ; Coronavirus Infections ; Humans ; Lung Transplantation/standards* ; Pandemics ; Perioperative Care/standards* ; Pneumonia, Viral ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Transplant Recipients

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the emergency management of the kidney transplantation for a large tertiary first-class hospital in response to the epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The clinical data of inpatients in the Department of Kidney Transplantation from January 24, 2020 to February 29, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we conducted telephone, Wechat follow-up, and online education for kidney transplant recipients and patients on waiting-list for kidney transplantation one by one. We also strictly screened for COVID-19 in outpatients. To guarantee the security of medical staff and recipients and to reduce the transmission risk of COVID-19, we have made detailed approaches to prevent COVID-19, which mainly included 6 aspects of preventive approaches, such as kidney transplant clinic, kidney transplant ward, patients on waiting-list for kidney transplantation, kidney transplant operation, medical staff self-protection, and postoperative follow-up of kidney transplant recipients. RESULTS: There were altogether 47 inpatients which included 20 recipients who had just received kidney transplantation in the meantime, 2 577 kidney transplant recipients, 1 689 patients on waiting-list for kidney transplantation, and 794 outpatients in our hospital. No case of COVID-19 occurred in this period. CONCLUSIONS Through strictly implementing proactive and preventive approaches, we avoid the occurrence of COVID-19 in carrying out kidney transplantation in the epidemic period.
Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Pneumonia, Viral ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Transplant Recipients ; Waiting Lists

The novel coronavirus is a newly discovered pathogen in late December 2019, and its source is currently unknown, which can lead to asymptomatic infection, new coronavirus pneumonia or serious complications, such as acute respiratory failure. Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new type of respiratory disease that is currently spreading all over the world and caused by this coronavirus. Its common symptoms are highly similar to those of other viruses, such as fever, cough and dyspnea. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. Everyone is susceptible to infection with this disease, and owing to the long-term use of immunosuppressants, the immunity of kidney transplant recipients is suppressed, and it is more likely to be infected with the disease. At present, its impact on kidney transplant recipients is unclear. This article reports the clinical features and therapeutic course of novel coronavirus infection in a patient after renal transplantation. A 37-year-old female patient who received a kidney transplant 6 months before was diagnosed with novel coronavirus pneumonia. The patient's symptoms (such as fever, chills, dry cough, muscle aches), laboratory tests (such as decreased white blood cell count, elevated liver enzymes and D-dimer, positive viral nucleic acid test), and chest CT (multiple left lower lung plaque ground glass shadow) were similar to those of non-transplanted novel coronavirus pneumonia patients. In terms of treatment, because the immunity of kidney transplant recipients has been suppressed for a long time, it is a very common strategy to suspend the use of immunosuppressive agents. Therefore, the patient immediately discontinued the immunosuppressive agent after admission, so that she could restore immunity against infection in a short time. At the same time, the use of glucocorticoids was also very important. Its immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects played a large role in the treatment process.In addition, prophylactic antibiotics was needed, and nephrotoxic drugs should be used with caution. Finally, following discounting the use of immunosuppressant and a low-dose glucocorticoid-based treatment regimen, COVID-19 in this renal transplant recipient was successfully cured. The cure of this case was of great significance, and this adjuvant nonspecific antiviral therapy could provide a template for the treatment of other such patients.
Adult ; Betacoronavirus ; COVID-19 ; Coronavirus Infections ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Transplant Recipients